Jul. 12, 13
Acts 9
Act 9:1 But Saul, still
breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,
went to the high priest,
Act 9:2 and asked for
letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any
who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound
to Jerusalem.
Act 9:3 As he traveled,
it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from
the sky shone around him.
Act 9:4 He fell on the
earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you
persecute me?"
Act 9:5 He said, "Who
are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are
persecuting.
Act 9:6 But rise up,
and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
Act 9:7 The men who
traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no
one.
Act 9:8 Saul arose from
the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led
him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
Act 9:9 He was without
sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
Act 9:10 Now there was
a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in
a vision, "Ananias!" He said, "Behold, it's me, Lord."
Act 9:11 The Lord said
to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight,
and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of
Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,
Act 9:12 and in a
vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his
hands on him, that he might receive his sight."
Act 9:13 But Ananias
answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much
evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
Act 9:14 Here he has
authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."
Act 9:15 But the Lord
said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my
name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
Act 9:16 For I will
show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake."
Act 9:17 Ananias
departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he
said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road
by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and
be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Act 9:18 Immediately
something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight.
He arose and was baptized.
Act 9:19 He took food
and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who
were at Damascus.
Act 9:20 Immediately in
the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
Act 9:21 All who heard
him were amazed, and said, "Isn't this he who in Jerusalem made
havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here
intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!"
Act 9:22 But Saul
increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at
Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
Act 9:23 When many days
were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,
Act 9:24 but their plot
became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that
they might kill him,
Act 9:25 but his
disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall,
lowering him in a basket.
Act 9:26 When Saul had
come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but
they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
Act 9:27 But Barnabas
took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how
he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and
how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
Act 9:28 He was with
them entering into Jerusalem,
Act 9:29 preaching
boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against
the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.
Act 9:30 When the
brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off
to Tarsus.
Act 9:31 So the
assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace,
and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the
Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Act 9:32 It happened,
as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the
saints who lived at Lydda.
Act 9:33 There he found
a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years,
because he was paralyzed.
Act 9:34 Peter said to
him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!"
Immediately he arose.
Act 9:35 All who lived
at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Act 9:36 Now there was
at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated,
means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy
which she did.
Act 9:37 It happened in
those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her,
they laid her in an upper chamber.
Act 9:38 As Lydda was
near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men
to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
Act 9:39 Peter got up
and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper
chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats
and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
Act 9:40 Peter put them
all out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said,
"Tabitha, get up!" She opened her eyes, and when she saw
Peter, she sat up.
Act 9:41 He gave her
his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he
presented her alive.
Act 9:42 And it became
known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Act 9:43 It happened,
that he stayed many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.